Kyoto · Month comparison
October vs March
October ranks #1 overall vs March at #2. The intelligent choice — Jidai Matsuri festival, ideal temperatures, and foliage building toward November.
October
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The intelligent choice — Jidai Matsuri festival, ideal temperatures, and foliage building toward November.
- ↑Jidai Matsuri (Oct 22): the Festival of Ages — 2,000 participants in historical costume from every era of Japanese history
- ↑Ideal temperatures: 23°C highs with low humidity — perfect for full-day temple circuits
March
#2 of 12 months
Best match
Spring begins — warming temperatures and early cherry blossoms, with crowds building toward month end.
- ↑Early cherry blossoms arrive late March at Maruyama Park and the Philosopher's Path — one of the great sights in Japan
- ↑Higashiyama Hanatoro lantern festival mid-March: stone-paved lanes lit at night, before the peak crowds arrive
| Factor | October | March |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 8 | 7 |
| Value score | 6 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 6 |
| Events score | 7 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 8 |
| Avg high temp | 22.8°C | 14.3°C |
| Monthly rain | 103mm | 89mm |
| Daily sunshine | 5.5hrs | 5.5hrs |
October trade-offs
- ↓Crowds building toward the November foliage peak — accommodation prices rising from mid-October
- ↓Foliage not yet at peak; visitors seeking the full autumn colour should wait for November
- ↓103mm of rainfall across the month; October showers can disrupt outdoor plans
March trade-offs
- ↓Prices rising sharply from mid-March as cherry blossom season approaches
- ↓Accommodation books out weeks ahead for late March — advance planning essential
- ↓Spring rain days common; 89mm across the month means waterproof layers are necessary
Scores compare months within Kyoto. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →